Outboard motor anti-theft device

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an anti-theft device which is engageable over the actuators for the threaded clamping members of an outboard motor mount to prevent the rotation of the clamping members to a motor releasing position. The device includes a tubular member having receivable therein the actuators and having that end thereof to which the actuators slide releaseably closed by a lock and bolt arrangement wherein the hasp of the lock is fully protected within the tubular member.

Unite States Patent [191 Quinley Nov. 19, 1974 1 OUTBOARD MOTOR ANTI-THEFT DEVICE [76] Inventor: Adrian L. Quinley, PO. Box 669,

Bay Minette, Ala. 36507 [22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 409,023

[52] US. Cl. 70/232, 70/55 [51] Int. Cl. F16b 41/00 [58] Field of Search.... 70/54, 55, 56, 232, DIG. 58; 292/259 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,603,080 7/1952 Earnhart 70/232 3,606,423 9/1971 McCarthy v 1 292/148 3,693,383 9/1972 Krupen et a1. 70/232 3,808,851 5/1974 Kargus et al 70/232 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 70/232 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Diller, Brown, Ramik & Wight [5 7 ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an anti-theft device which is engageable over the actuators for the threaded c1amping members of an outboard motor mount to prevent the rotation of the clamping members to a motor releasing position. The device includes a tubular member having receivable therein the actuators and having that end thereof to which the actuators slide releaseably closed by a lock and bolt arrangement wherein the hasp of the lock is fully protected within the tubular member.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures OUTBOARD MOTOR ANTI-THEFT DEVICE This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in anti-theft devices and more particularly to an anti-theft device for retaining an outboard motor in a clamped position on a boat or other supporting surface.

The usual outboard motor is provided with a U- shaped mounting bracket which telescopes over the transom of a boat and which is provided with a pair of threaded clamping members having pivotally mounted on the ends thereof actuators to facilitate the rotation of the clamping members into clamping engagement with the boat transom. When these actuators are immobilized so that they must remain in fixed positions, the threaded clamping members cannot be turned and thus the mounting bracket cannot be released from the boat or other support, thereby preventing the theft of the motor.

In the past there has been proposed anti-theft devices for outboard motors which include tubular members which are telescoped over the actuators so as to prevent rotation ofthe threaded clamping members. These tubular members are provided with suitable lock means to prevent the removal thereof. The lock means include conventional locks but the same have the deficiency in that the lock has the hasp thereof exposed so that the hasp may be severed and the device removed from the actuators.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide an elongated tubular member of an internal cross section having receivable therein the actuators of the outboard motor mount and the tubular member having an axial slot opening from one end thereof to a point adjacent the space from the opposite end thereof with the slot being of a size to have received therein the threaded clamping members of the outboardmotor mount. The tubular member is thus readily slidable over the actuators, when they are in aligned opposed relation, and over the threaded clamping members.

Lock means are provided for that end of the tubular member through which the slot opens. The lock means includes a bolt member which extends transversely of the tubular member and which is retained in its transverse position by means of a conventional lock having a hasp. Thus, the bolt is not removable until the lock is opened and the tubular member is not removable until the bolt member and the lock have been removed.

The relationship between the hasp of the lock and the bolt and tubular member is such that when the lock is in a closed condition maintaining the bolt in position within the tubular member, the hasp of the lock is fully telescoped within the tubular member.

Another feature of the invention is that the lock includes a body of a size to be partially telescoped withinthe tubular member so that the hasp of the lock is fully protected by the tubular member at all times, and therefore, one must cut away a portion of the tubular member before access to the lock hasp is obtainable.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that the anti-theft device of this invention fulfills the object of the invention that there may be provided an anti-theft device for use in retaining outboard motors in secured positions wherein the anti-theft device cannot be removed by the simple expedient of cutting the hasp of the lock thereof.

2 With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference tothe following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outboard motor mounting bracket showing the same clamped in position on a boat transom and retained in position by the anti-theft device of this invention, the outboard motor being removed from the mounting bracket.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bolt member of the anti-theft device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 and shows the specific relationship between the tubular member, the bolt member and the hasp of the lock in the locked condition of the lock.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and more specifically illustrates the relationship of the anti-theft device or latch assembly with respect to the threaded clamping members and actuators of the outboard motor mount.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and shows the lock in its released condition and the bolt member being removed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line'66 of FIG. 5 and shows further the relationship between the bolt member and the lock in the open condition of the lock.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a conventional mounting bracket for an outboard motor, the mounting bracket being generally identified by the numeral 10. The mounting bracket 10 may be of any construction with the illustrated mounting bracket including a pair of U shaped yoke members 11 which are suitably inter- I connected by, for example, a bar 12. Each yoke member 11 includes a forward leg 13 and a rear leg 14. Each forward leg 13 is provided with an internally threaded bore 15 (FIG. 4) in which there is threadedly engaged a threaded clamping member 16. The rear end of each clamping member 16 is provided with a clamping pad 17 while the forward end is provided with an actuator 18 which is pivotally connected to the clamping member 16 by means of a pivot pin 20.

In the mounting of an outboard motor on a boat, the mounting bracket 10 is telescoped down over the transom 21 of the boat, after which the clamping members 16 are rotated so as to clamp the transom 21 between the rear legs 14 and the clamping pad 17. This is accomplished by means of the actuators 18.

The foregoing is all conventional and in of itself does not form a part of this invention.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an anti-theft device or latch assembly which is generally identified by the numeral 30. The latch assembly 30 includes an elongated tubular member 31 which is of an internal cross section so as to be freely telescopable over the actuators 18 when they are in alignment, as is shown in FIG. 1. It is preferable that the actuators 18 be arranged in opposed relation as is shown in FIG. 1 so as to require-a minimum length of the tubular member 31.

Starting at one end and continuing to a point adjacent to but spaced from the opposite end of the tubular member 31 is an axial slot 32 in the tubular member. The axial slot 32 is of a width to have received therein the threaded clamping members 16 as is clearly shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the tubular member 31 may be freely telescoped over forward portions of the clamping members l6 and have received therein the actuators 18. When the actuators 18 are positioned within the tubular member 31, they obviously cannot be rotated and thus, the clampings members 16 cannot be moved towards releasing positions.

The principal feature of this invention is the provision of lock means for retaining the tubular member 31 in position with respect to the clamping members 16 and the actuators 18. These lock means are generally identified by the numeral 40 and include a special bolt member 41 which is best illustrated in FIG. 2. The bolt member 41 is preferably formed of round stock and includes one circular cross sectional end portion 42 and one flat sided end portion 43 connected together by a reduced cross section, circular cross sectional intermediate portion-44.

The tubular member 31 is provided with transversely aligned openings 33, 34 in the end portion thereof be yond the adjacent clamping member 16. The openings 33, 34 are of a size to have received therein with slight clearance the circular cross sectional end portion 42 of the bolt member 41. As is clearly shown in FIG. 3, the bolt member 41 is of length to extend transversely through the tubular member 31 and to have opposite ends thereof projecting outwardly of the tubular member 31.

The lock means 40 further includes a conventional lock, generally identified by the numeral 45 and including a lock body 46 and a lock hasp 47. With reference to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the dimension of the lock hasp 47 is such that when the lock 45 is in its opened condition, the end portion 43 of the bolt member 41 is slidable through the lock hasp 47. On the other hand, when the lock hasp 47 is aligned with an intermediate portion 44 ofthe bolt member 41 and the lock 45 is in its closed condition, as is shown in FIG. 4, the lock hasp 47 is strapped between the end portions 42 and 43 of the bolt member. Thus the bolt member 41 is firmly secured in a position transversely of the tubular member 31 and prevents the removal of the tubular member 31 from the mounting bracket 10.

At this time it is pointed out that the openings 33, 34 in the tubular member 31 are so axially positioned wherein when the lock 45 is in its closed position and the hasp 47 thereof is engaged about the bolt member intermediate portion 44, the lock hasp 47 is fully protected by the tubular member 31, a portion of the lock body 46 projecting into the end of the tubular member 31. Thus, the lock 45 cannot be readily destroyed by the cutting of the lock hasp 47 as normally occurs when one desires to remove a lock.

In order to further assure the proper mounting of the latch assembly on the mounting bracket 10, a separate compartment is provided in the tubular member 31 for the lock means 40. It is to be noted from FIGS. 4 and 6 that the end portion of the tubular member 31 receiving the bolt member 41 is counterbored as at up to a position closely adjacent the normal position of the adjacent clamp member 16.

A removable plug 36 is positioned in the counterbore to close the lock chamber, which chamber is identified by the numeral 37, at the inner end thereof.

OPERATION When it is desired to lock the mounting bracket 10 against removal, the tubular member 31 is telescoped over the actuators 18 in the manner illustrated. Then, the plug 36 is pushed into the end of the tubular member 31 as is shown in FIG. 6. Next, the lock 45, in its opened condition, has the hasp 47 thereof positioned in the lock chamber 37 generally in alignment with the openings 33, 34. A flat sided end portion 43 of the bolt member 41 is then pushed through one of the openings 33, 34 and through the lock hasp 47 until it passes out through the opposite one of the openings 33, 34 and the bolt member intermediate portion 44 is aligned with the lock hasp 47. The bolt 41 is then rotated and the lock 45 moved to its closed condition, as is shown in FIG. 4. It is to be understood that in the closing of the lock 45, the lock hasp 47 is retained against inward movement by the plug member 46. The bolt member 41 is now securely retained transversely of the tubular member 31 and retains the tubular member 31 in place.

It is to be understood that the latch assembly 30 is removed from the mounting bracket 10 by a reversal of the foregoing steps.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the latch assembly or anti-theft device with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A latch assembly for a clamping mechanism of an outboard motor and the like of the type which includes a pair of threaded clamping members each having an actuator pivoted thereto and movable into opposed aligned relation, said latch assembly comprising an elongated tubular member of an internal cross section for receiving the aligned actuators, said tubular member having an axial slot therein extending from one end thereof to a point adjacent to but spaced from the other end thereof, said slot being of a width to receive therein the threaded clamping members, and releaseable lock means transversing said one end of said tubular member and preventing removal thereof from the clamping members and the actuators, said lock means including a conventional lock of the type including a hasp, and said hasp being fully telescoped within said tubular member in a protected position when said lock is closed.

2.. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock means includes transversely aligned openings in said tubular member adjacent said one end, a removable bolt member extending transversely of said tubular member and having end portions seated in said openings, and means on said bolt member for interlocking engagement with said lock hasp and preventing removal of said bolt member.

3. The latch assembly of claim 2 wherein said means on said bolt member is in the form of an intermediate recessed portion receivable within said lock hasp in the closed condition of said lock with adjacent portions of said bolt being of a greater cross-section than the opening of said lock hasp.

one of said actuators, said plug having a section corresponding to the interior of said tubular member.

6. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock includes a body, and a portion of said lock body is telescoped within said tubular member in a locked condition of said lock means. 

1. A latch assembly for a clamping mechanism of an outboard motor and the like of the type which includes a pair of threaded clamping members each having an actuator pivoted thereto and movable into opposed aligned relation, said latch assembly comprising an elongated tubular member of an internal cross section for receiving the aligned actuators, said tubular member having an axial slot therein extending from one end thereof to a point adjacent to but spaced from the other end thereof, said slot being of a width to receive therein the threaded clamping members, and releaseable lock means transversing said one end of said tubular member and preventing removal thereof from the clamping members and the actuators, said lock means including a conventional lock of the type including a hasp, and said hasp being fully telescoped within said tubular member in a protected position when said lock is closed.
 2. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock means includes transversely aligned openings in said tubular member adjacent said one end, a removable bolt member extending transversely of said tubular member and having end portions seated in said openings, and means on said bolt member for interlocking engagement with said lock hasp and preventing removal of said bolt member.
 3. The latch assembly of claim 2 wherein said means on said bolt member is in the form of an intermediate recessed portion receivable within said lock hasp in the closed condition of said lock with adjacent portions of said bolt being of a greater cross-section than the opening of said lock hasp.
 4. The latch assembly of claim 3 wherein one end portion of said bolt is of a cross section passable through said lock hasp in the open condition of said lock hasp to facilitate withdrawal of said bolt.
 5. The latch assembly of claim 2 wherein said lock means includes a plug positioned within said tubular member between said bolt member and an adjacent one of said actuators, said plug having a section corresponding to the interior of said tubular member.
 6. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock includes a body, and a portion of said lock body is telescoped within said tubular member in a locked condition of said lock means. 